Race & Religion
Latino Episcopalians in the spotlight with Gutiérrez presiding bishop nomination
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — May 31, 2024
HYATTSVILLE, Md. (RNS) — Latino Episcopal clergy say that their congregations are thriving.
Latinos play an important role in environmental movement, Georgetown panel says
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — May 24, 2024
WASHINGTON (RNS) — 'Latinos are poised to be leaders in their communities and nationally on environmental issues,' said one panelist at this week's Latino Leader Gathering sponsored by Georgetown’s Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life.
A new book argues most white US Christians worship a religion of whiteness
By Yonat Shimron — May 21, 2024
(RNS) — Michael Emerson and Glenn Bracey depict a Christianity that worships a white Jesus and a set of sacred symbols, including the flag, the cross and, increasingly, guns.
He feared coming out. Now this pastor wants to help Black churches become as welcoming as his own
By Darren Sands — May 17, 2024
(AP) – Crowley’s career has flourished, and he has now written a book — “Queering the Black Church” — that he hopes can serve as a guide for other congregations to be “open and affirming” to LGBTQ+ people rather than shunning them.
AME official Jerome V. Harris dies under a cloud of alleged corruption
By Fiona André — May 16, 2024
(RNS) — Harris, an important figure of the AME Church, died suddenly, according to a press release from the Christian Recorder, the church’s official publication.
The Rev. William Lawson, Texas civil rights leader who worked with Martin Luther King Jr, dies at 95
By Associated Press — May 15, 2024
HOUSTON (AP) — Lawson’s longtime church, Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in that Texas city, announced on its website that he had died on Tuesday.
Grace College professor ousted after online commentators flag ‘woke’ social media posts
By Kathryn Post — May 8, 2024
(RNS) — It’s the latest in a string of professor terminations at Christian colleges seemingly tied to clashes over narrowing and often unspoken political and theological criteria.
Baltimore Catholic parish closures a ‘punch in the stomach’ with long-term impact
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — May 7, 2024
BALTIMORE (RNS) — Parish closures in the nation’s oldest Catholic diocese are part of a nationwide trend of dioceses restructuring in response to falling Mass attendance and priest shortages.
75 Christian leaders urge president, Congress, churches to act on racism, poverty
By Adelle M. Banks — May 1, 2024
(RNS) — ‘Issues related to racism are now being fiercely debated across the country, and many people of color are fearful that racism is getting worse,’ reads their statement.
The Rev. Cecil Williams, who turned San Francisco’s Glide Church into a refuge for many, has died
By Olga R. Rodriguez — April 24, 2024
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Williams and his wife, Janice Marikitami, who passed away in 2021, appeared in Will Smith’s film “The Pursuit of Happyness,” which was based on the life of a homeless father and son who once found help at Glide Memorial Church.
New leader of Jesse Jackson’s civil rights organization steps down just months on the job
By Sophia Tareen — April 18, 2024
CHICAGO (AP) —Haynes, 63, said he felt it was “necessary” to move on in light of “challenges that continue to exist,” but declined to elaborate further.
US Catholics more polarized than ever about still-popular Pope Francis, survey says
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — April 12, 2024
(RNS) — The Republican and Republican-leaning favorability rating represents a decline, creating the largest partisan gap in approval of Francis since his papacy began.
Latter-day Saints leader addresses congregants without a word on racial or LGBTQ+ issues
By Hannah Schoenbaum — April 8, 2024
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Russell M. Nelson announced the planned construction in a pre-recorded closing speech at the twice-annual Salt Lake City conference. It's traditionally watched by millions worldwide.
Poll: Muslims most discriminated group in US, but Jews not far behind
By Yonat Shimron — April 2, 2024
(RNS) — The poll, taken in February, reflects changing attitudes toward U.S. Jews in the wake of the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel and the fierce, now 6-month-old war in Gaza.
African spiritualities are attracting Black Americans as a source of pride and identity
By Fiona André — March 21, 2024
(RNS) — Ancestral veneration, Haitian Vodou, Brazilian Candomblé, Cuban Santería and Ifá have gained attention among Black adults, who see it as an occasion to reconnect with their heritage and celebrate their Blackness.
